(You've got to love threads that start with the subject "maybe be a dumb question". :-p)

Anyway, I've got a question about bears and food.

Back story:
I'm going backpacking in Montana this summer with my dad and stepbrothers. When my dad and younger stepbrother went last year, they took a Kevlar (sp?) bag and hung it off the side of a steep drop off to keep bears out of their food. I think the plan is the same this year. However, I know that we will each carry our share of the food while hiking. They did not hang their packs, but stored them in the tent vestibule.

My question is: Is my pack going to smell like food and lead to a bear trying to steal my pack in the middle of the night if I hike with food in there? They carried GORP, cliff bars and the dehydrated meals and I will probably do much the same. Do I have to buy some "smell-proof" thing to store the food (and my toothpaste, or anything else that might have an "interesting" smell) in while it's in my pack during the day?

Feeling clueless... again.

Thanks, all.